Hidden Risks in Medication for Older Women

Have you ever been warned about the hidden risks of your medications, or were they kept out of sight?

Medications can be instrumental in managing chronic conditions and improving the quality of life for us older gals, but a significant issue remains. Older women have been underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to medications that aren’t adequately tested for our needs. This exclusion can result in unexpected and harmful side effects.

In this post, we’ll explore why older women are at greater risk for adverse drug reactions and what we can do to protect ourselves in a healthcare system that doesn’t always consider our unique needs.

Why Older Women Face Higher Risks for Medication Side Effects

1. Underrepresentation in Clinical Trials: For decades, older women have been excluded from many clinical trials due to concerns about reproductive health and hormonal fluctuations. As a result, medical treatments are often based on data from younger or male participants. According to an article in The BMJ, females, particularly older women, are underrepresented in clinical trials, limiting understanding of how drugs affect them differently.
2. Metabolic Differences: Postmenopausal women experience changes in body fat distribution and metabolism, which can affect how their bodies process medications. Research shows that women metabolize medicines like antidepressants, statins, and blood pressure drugs at different rates than men. Still, these variations are not always accounted for in dosage recommendations.
3. Polypharmacy: Older women are often prescribed multiple medications simultaneously, a condition known as polypharmacy. There is evidence that certain medicines are associated with increased fall risk. A (National Falls Prevention Coordination Group) NFPCG document is interesting and enlightening.

Common Medications with Adverse Drug Reactions in Older Women

Statins: These cholesterol-lowering drugs can cause more muscle pain and weakness in older women compared to men, especially in those with a lower body mass or smaller body frame. Here’s what the Mayo Clinic finds:

• Taking multiple medicines to lower your cholesterol
• Taking medications that interact with statins
• Being female
• Having a smaller body frame
• Being age 80 or older
• Having kidney or liver disease
• Drinking too much alcohol
• For some statins, drinking too much grapefruit juice
• Having certain conditions such as hypothyroidism or neuromuscular disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Anticoagulants: Drugs like warfarin, commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots, can lead to excessive bleeding in older women. Research shows that older women tend to have more adverse reactions to anticoagulants due to differences in body composition and slower metabolism.

• As people age, their body composition changes, affecting how drugs are metabolized.
• Kidney function often declines with age, impacting drug clearance.
• Older adults are more likely to have multiple health issues, which can complicate anticoagulant therapy.

Women experience adverse drug reactions, ADRs, nearly twice as often as men, yet the role of sex as a biological factor in the generation of ADRs is poorly understood. Most drugs currently in use were approved based on clinical trials conducted on men, so women may be overmedicated.

Sleep Aids: Medications such as benzodiazepines, prescribed for anxiety or insomnia, can cause confusion, drowsiness, and a greater risk of falls in older women with prolonged use of sleep aids.

How Gender Gaps in Medical Research Impact Older Women’s Health

The consequences of underrepresentation in clinical trials are wide-reaching. Inadequate research leads to the mismanagement of medication dosages, higher rates of hospitalizations, and a lower quality of life for older women. According to an article in BMC Medicine, the lack of inclusive research contributes to higher healthcare costs due to preventable adverse drug reactions.

More inclusive clinical trials are critical to ensure that medications are safe and effective for the populations that use them the most.

An interesting study reveals the highest rates of preventable medication harm were seen in elderly patient care settings. However, this study does not point to a specific gender, which is interesting nevertheless.

What Can You Do, As an Older Women, to Protect Yourself?

1. Ask Your Doctor About Side Effects Specific to Women: Don’t hesitate to ask whether a medication has been adequately tested in women your age. If not, inquire about possible alternatives. Better yet, improve your health with food as medicine, and then ask what medication can be cut down or potentially stopped.
2. Review Your Medications Regularly: The National Institute on Aging suggests that older women should regularly review their medications with healthcare providers to identify any potential interactions or side effects, especially if they are on multiple medications. More importantly, monitor how ‘you’ feel.
3. Stay Informed: Follow research on medications you’re taking. Sites like ClinicalTrials.gov provide updated information on ongoing clinical trials, including those targeting older populations. You can stay proactive by understanding how your medications affect women in your age group.
4. Explore Clinical Trial Participation: While older women have historically been excluded from trials, recent initiatives push for greater representation. You can research trial participation as a way to advocate for more inclusive research.

Older women are disproportionately affected by the lack of representation in medical research, particularly when it comes to medications. By staying informed and advocating for yourself, you can reduce your risk of adverse reactions.

As more attention is brought to this issue, we can push for changes that ensure healthcare systems and research reflect the needs of all patients, not just the majority.

Have you experienced unexpected side effects from medications? Share your story in the comments below or talk to your healthcare provider about whether your medications have been thoroughly tested for women like you. If your healthcare provider won’t discuss the issue with you, find a new provider.

Let’s open our mouths, raise awareness, advocate for more inclusive research, and stop taking whatever is spooned out.

Coming Up Next: In the next post, we’ll scrutinize how research gaps lead to the underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of older women in healthcare. Stay tuned to learn more about what you can do to advocate for better care!

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This information is not intended to replace professional medical guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health, diet, or wellness routine. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of the information you have read on this blog. Use of this blog and reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.